The entirety of the attendees rose to their feet at the arrival of Crimson Night's Alpha. Fachan's head was held high as he entered through the heavy oaken doors and made his way to the center table where Armina was standing. The Alpha joined his Luna at the table before turning to face the array of tables spread throughout the hall. The Luna joined the Alpha in bowing in greeting to the guests before Fachan addressed the attendees. "Greetings, all. I would like to thank you for traveling the distance to attend this conference. Tonight is for you, and I invite you to eat and drink to your heart's content. Pleasure yourselves tonight for tomorrow shall begin the tedious work. So, without further ado, let the banquet commence!"

A round of cheers and applause followed Fachan's greeting, and several hands raised their glasses in the air before a partaking of the strong spirits began the festivities. Following Fachan and Armina's lead, the guests resumed their seats as servants returned to doing their rounds around the hall. The next minute was filled with an array of trays filled with hearty foods and delicacies being brought into the hall and arranged on the tables. The guests did not hesitate in filling their plates with ample supplies of delicious meats, cheeses, breads, and much more.

The hall was warm and bright as chatter and laughter sounded throughout the large room. Calls for more wine had servants scurrying about fulfilling the guests' orders causing the attendees to grow increasingly more intoxicated while tiring the servants and workers. Once the royals and visiting werewolves had eaten to their stomachs' content, the party moved to its feet, allowing the many werewolves to mingle. Standing tables were brought into the hall while the long tables and their chairs were pushed against the walls, creating an open space in the center of the hall for ample mingling.

Armina separated from Fachan and occupied a separate table where the visit Lunas could gather. The Alphas did the same and gathered at the center of the space. Jae silently sipped on his wine while several members of the visiting packs line up to give their greetings. The Alphas and Lunas. Den being absent, there was no other prince Jae was inclined to mingle with. Yejin and Estan were occupied with the sons and daughters of the visiting Betas and Gammas.

The prince of Crimson Night was content with remaining by himself drinking his wine, but the approach of Black Moon's princess, Sina, brought a frown to the true blood's face. Jae diverted his eyes to the glass in his hand as Sina set her glass of champagne on the table at which Jae was currently standing.

"Hello there, Jae," Sina began. Her voice was low and sensuous, but it only sent disgusted chills down the true blood's spine. He hated the dark seduction that radiated off Sina with her every move. Jae had made it clear multiple times that he would never consider Sina to be his mate, but the princess did not stop her advances.

"Sina," Jae said the female's name in a short response, his tone being as disinterested as it could be.

"What have you been up to?" Sina raised her brow as she inquired of the true blood's recent activities. The intention behind the female's question was clear as day as she rested her arms on the table and leaned toward the prince, the v-cut in her dress coincidentally revealing the top portion of her supple breasts.

Jae released a sharp breath before answering, "Nothing that concerns you."

"Oh, come on, Jae. You don't have to be so cold to me. Loosen up a bit. Tonight is supposed to be fun." A wink followed the princess's attempt to have the true blood open up to her, but it failed dramatically. "Clearly your definition of 'fun' is different than mine," Jae said before straightening his stance and trailing his eyes over the crowd of mingling werewolves in search of someone who could come to his rescue. Consequently, the true blood locked eyes with the son of Eternal Dawn's Beta.

The white-haired raised his brows at the prince's silent signal as he received the message. It was not long before the white-haired left the group of young Betas and started toward the prince of Crimson Night. Jae cleared his throat when the upcoming Beta of Eternal Dawn arrived at the table signaling to Sina that he was about to be occupied in discussion with the white-haired beta. The princess of Black Moon released an annoyed sigh when the beta slipped between her and Crimson Night's prince and gave her a sly side smile.

"Getting to business early, are you, Jae?" Sina said through her teeth before lifting her glass of champagne. "Well, don't let me stop you." Jae silently inclined his head in goodbye to the princess as she took a step back. "Talk to you soon, Jae."

The white-haired watched Black Moon's prince strut away before turning to the true blood. "That was a desperate signal if I've ever seen one."

"Indeed," Jae responded after releasing a sigh. "Thank you."

"Of course."

"How have you been, Aki?" Jae inquired of the beta to spark conversation; he needed his cover to appear legit.

The beta bobbed his head and answered, "Swell. It's approaching the day, so the mood has been solemn. But other than that, I've been well."

"Ah." Jae recalled that Aki's family had lost their youngest son when he was an infant, and the date of his disappearance was quickly approaching.

"Mother is out looking for him, so she could not make it to the conference. I apologize for her absence." Aki bowed his head to Crimson Night's prince in apology.

"Not at all." Jae was quick to shake his head. "She is doing what she feels she needs to do. A mother could never bring herself to stop searching for her child."

"I appreciate your understanding, Prince."

What kind of prince would I be if I could not understand?"

"True, true," Aki nodded his head in agreement. "Crimson Night is lucky to have such a good prince. You will be a good Alpha, Prince."

Jae's heart swelled with Aki's words. "Thank you."

A few moments passed before Aki excused himself. "I believe I have served my purpose. If you will excuse me, there is someone I must search for."

"Of course, thank you for coming to my rescue," Jae responded with a slight chuckle.

"Anytime. I wish you luck in avoiding her for the entirety of the night. She's like a hound. Be careful, Prince," the white-haired bid before retreating from the table and slipping out of the hall. Jae's brows scrunched as he watched the beta disappear down the corridor outside the hall. I wonder who he is looking for... The prince's thought was interrupted by the appearance of Crimson Night's Gamma.

"Where is Kace? You said you would make him come." The Gamma's voice was low as he addressed his prince while scanning the room to make sure no one was focusing on his and the prince's conversation.

Jae's jaw clenched at the man's words. "Kace is here. You saw him yourself. Don't you dare cause him trouble." A growl accompanied the prince's warning to the Gamma and caused the man to cower before him. "Am I understood?"

"Ae," the Gamma returned quite quickly; he was not the fondest of an angry true blood standing right in front of him with a grave expression. "Thank you for bringing him. You have held up your end of the agreement. Now, if you will excuse me." The Gamma was swift to rush away from the true blood's table, much to Jae's amusement and relief. The prince did not want anything to happen to Kace, and he would gladly threaten the wimpy Gamma to protect his friend.

The prince's short conversation with the Gamma reminded Jae that Kace had raced out of the hall and caused the true blood's thoughts to trail to the blue-eyed. Where are you, Kace?

>>>>>>

Den slowed his pace as he made his way through the garden. The trail was growing stronger, indicating the prince was nearing the one he was pursuing. The true blood was quiet as he walked along the stone path that wound through the flowers, trees, and shrubbery; he did not want to startle the source of the rainy scent that fills the air just after a storm. The prince held his breath when the path led to a clearing in the garden.

The clearing opened up to a small lake surrounded by flowers and a mixture of cherry blossom and pear trees. The true blood entered the clearing only to stop in his tracks. A man stood beneath a cherry blossom at the edge of the lake, his face turned toward the dark water. Pale white flowers surrounded the man, creating a beautiful scene. The moonlight fell on the man, covering him in a silver glow.

Den's breath hitched as he observed the sight in front of him. The man was absolutely stunning; he was easily the most beautiful werewolf Den had ever set eyes on. A gentle breeze rustled the man's dark blue hair and caused Den's heart to race. He had found the one who had rushed out of the hall at first glance. He had found the one he had been searching for. He had found his mate.